Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences

Abstract

Kewanch (Mucuna puriens L.) belongs to the family “Fabaceae”. The genus Mucuna has about 33 species of climbing vines and shrubs, found worldwide in the wild of tropical areas. M. puriens plant is an annual, with long vines that can reach over 15 m in height. It is valued for its high levodopa (L-DOPA) content which helps in maintaining cholesterol and blood sugar levels in control. The seed powder of M. pruriens has long been used in traditional, Ayurvedic system of medicine for diseases including Parkinson. Mucuna can also support healthy testosterone levels, which in turn can lead to increased muscle mass and strength. Hence it is also used as an aphrodisiac agent to increase libido in both men and women. A new variety of Mucuna puriens (CIM – MUC-2, now christened as CIM- Nirom has been developed by CSIR-CIMAP through intensive breeding efforts for improved seed and L-dopa yield/ha. The new variety has consistently recorded a higher seed yield (33 q/ha), better L-DOPA contant (4.5%) and L-DOPA yield (150 kg/ha) in comparison to best available check variety CIM-Ajar that gives a seed yield of 24 q/ha with 4.1% L-DOPA content and 91 kg/ha LDOPA yield. It is ideally suited in orchards for cultivation as climber crop and easy to harvest due to lint (spine) less pods. The unique broad, dark green colour leaf morphology and dark black very bold seeds are the main distinctive features of this variety to satisfy DUS criteria.